A pedestrian fall or collision is only a road crash (pedestrian crash) when a moving vehicle is involved. Between 2010 and 2019, an annual average of 59 pedestrians were killed in road crashes. Between 1999 and 2019, the number of pedestrian road deaths dropped by 62%. Crash risk for pedestrians equals that for cyclists, while for (light) moped riders crash risk is 3 to 4 times higher, and for occupants of cars/delivery vans 7 to 8 times lower.
Most serious crashes involving pedestrians take place in urban areas and have a car as crash opponent. Important factors in pedestrian crashes are the speed at which cars are driving, the pedestrian’s appraisal of the speed of the car, distraction and lighting. It is often older pedestrians who are prone to road crashes. In a collision between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, the impact energy is largely transferred to the pedestrian’s body: the fatality rate is therefore considerable. At an impact speed below 30km/h, though, chances of survival are reasonably high.
The possibility to cross distributor roads in the urban area should be restricted to intersections. If a crossing at a road section nevertheless proves necessary, a sustainably safe crossing (SSP) is preferable. Other measures to increase pedestrian safety are improving school routes and other routes frequently used by young pedestrians (e.g. the ‘safe wave’, a safe children’s route), a pedestrian-friendly car front and truck side shields.